Apparatus for making tufted work



Sept. 16, 1952 w. A. HONEYCUTT APPARATUS FOR MAKING TUFTED WORK FiledMarch 5 1951 5 Sheep's-Sheet l INVENTOR- WALTER A. HONEYCUTT BY 0% WWATTORNEY Sept. 16, 1952 w. A. HONEYCUTT APPARATUS FOR MAKING TUFTED WORK5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 5 1951 WALTER A. HONEYCUTT ATTORN E W AHONEYCUTT APPARATUS FOR MAKING TUF TED WORK Spt. 16, 1952 Flled March 5,1951 Sept. 16, 1952 w. A. HONEYCUTT APPARATUS FOR MAKING TUFTED WORK '5Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 5, 1951 0 6 m m 2.? 4 6 W, 4 4 p K L. 3 A v 6ni if H @f H mm M V. r ..l- Y 2 3 1 3 W4 &7) 5 q A? 4 J 7 5 mm W H IL 0l 6 G FIQIG.

Fl 6. I 5.

INVENTOR WALTER A, HONEYCUTT ATTORNEY P 6, 1952 w. A. HONEYCUTT2,610,436

APPARATUS FOR MAKING TUFTED WORK Filed March 5, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 5Fla-l7. FIG. FIG. l9.

FIG. 20. FIG, 2|.

74 72 k I 7 61 R *2 4O 73 6'6 4'2 73 4i 4 a INVENTOR- WALTER A,HONEYCUTTBY BWWW ATTORNEY l I Ejector the invention is to provideean apparatuswhich greatly reduces'thelabor required to form the tufting, and whichproduces the product in a reliableand uniform apparatus 1 apbve-mentioned "character which is; relatirely slmple in construction,cheap to n ia i a sr t pe ai aem ad u to ire e? ensi's erp uta ea tandadvantages ofthe nvention, I 9 Q l c asefire? e is ing description. rIn the accompanying of this application, and in which like numerals are.ernp eg 9; designate like parts-throughout v u e H open ordistendeqposition,

Figure2 is, a side elevation of the same,

plan law of Figure 3 is a plan view of the apparatus in the I closed orcollapsed position,

Figure 4 is an enlarged sideelevation of a leg of e e a at s,;'and-associated elements Figure central vertical longitudinal sec tiontalien- .line 5 5 F i1 gur e 4,

Figures is n l rge vertical section taken on Iine B- EBoflfiiglireil;. I

Figure'T s simiiaasecuon taken on line 1-1 of Figure 1,

Figure 8 is a vertical section taken on line 83 of Figure 1,

Fi re 9 is of Figural} F'ig'ure 'IOI'is ,a verti 6, andf'showih a first"step liri the practiceof a preferred form of rseuo'n" similar to Figurethe rieth'od 1, y l

Figure lfis a similar sectionalview through the apparatus andwork andillustratinga further step during the practice of thefirst form of themethbdihh r. l f 1 a pa fatu's'and-fwork, and showing a still, furtherstepjnlthefpractice of the first form of themethtid;

the. inventioniis to. provide 7 diagrammatic, of an outerf flexiblesheet in the I drawings forming a part the com 10 1 apparatus in an flator distended condition after being pierced at spaced points for formingsmall slits in the same, Figure leis a similar View, ofthe outer sheetafter the apparatus is"collapsediior forming p tsor c lsinthep e f hee VFigure is asimilar view, of thev outer sh afteriupholsterv p aresecuredinfplace a'ii "pleted work, is removed from' theapp irea m] apart,

s ea t sh win h appafurther step in the practic of the method, I v

Figure is a similar section through the apparatus and work, showing theuse of the apparatus for-practicing a further modification of the Fi 12isiafjsiaii i" f tional stepi in the practice "or the thirdlfoim ofreducedscale, with the same shifted into a diamond. shape forimakingdiamond-shaped tufts during the practice of all forms of the method. H

,s5 .e 's sile -l es l e taken i l- 3 Ithe "of, the apparatus during 3 1posts 25, arranged in equidistantly spaced parallel In the drawings,where for' theflpurposeof illustration is shown a; preferred embodfmentof the apparatus embodying rny'inventionqthe nurn -2 s nate en a y tappar tu flfi. forming.'tufted icushions, or s esj a'plurality ofvertical legs or; j

p the llk'5. a p ratus comp rows forming an over-all rectangular group,and

lea-similar sectional view .orgthef legsin the next adjacent row,.sothat longitudinal f and transverse rows of legs'are formed inf'the f1 H .over-all rectangulangrou'pi, Four-of the legs ltfflfl n gureiefisqa' fragmentary pla riwiew, partly1 define t e- 6u'r o e sl t pa a ujiof each row are arranged opposite corresponding en argedcentralvertical sec ,piaptiw' of the apparatus on a 3 shown. It should beunderstood that the apparatus may contain any desired number of rows oflegs 26, and each row may contain any desired number of the legs, thearrangement shown in the drawings being merely illustrative of theinvention. When a greater number of rows of legs 26 is employed in theapparatus, its over-all size is increased, and a larger area of Work maybe tufted by the apparatus. Accordingly, when a lesser number of rows oflegs 26 make u the apparatus, its over-all size is smaller, and asmaller area of the tufted work is produced.

Each leg or post 26 comprises a lower section or bar 21 having 'atransverse opening 23 near its longitudinal center, and provided at itsupper end with a short reduced extension 29 forming a fiat annularshoulder 36. Each reduced extension 23 carries a further reducedvertical screw-threaded extension 3!, integral therewith, and projectingabove the extens'iori'ZB; I'I'lie' shoulders 36 and the tops oftheextensionsze. of all legs 26 are arranged at the same eleva-" tion,and the over-all length of all legs 26 is equal... Each leg 26 furthercomprises an upper section or bar 32, provided in its lower end witha.screw.-. 25 threaded opening 33, receiving the'upstanding'f'iscrew-threaded"extension 3|,-and each: bar 32 is providednearitslongitudinal centerwith .a transverse opening 34., liketheepening 28'. The. openings 23 and 34 "are adapted to" receive,.a30suitable rod, serving as'a 'w're'nehi to aid infas' sembling anddisassembling the upper and lower sections of the legs 26.. Each uppersections; I D

' Qne'slottzslidably receives one pair of the guide includes an upperreduced portion 35, integral therewith and forming a flat annularshoulder 36 near the longitudinal center of theupperSeC-Y tion 32. Thetop end of the'portion' ha'sa shallow concave recess 3?, for apurposeto" be 1 described, and the reduced portion-35 is' provided l with aside longitudinal groove or keyway 38, 40 slidably receiving aradial'pin or setlscrewiiijj carried by a vertically shiftable'cylindrical'sle'eve' i 40, slidably mounted uponthe "reduced portion:55. A compressible coil'sp ring' l-l su'rrounos'ea h 1' reduced portion3-5 and-has its upper end engag ing the lower end of the sleeve 48 andits low end seated against the shoulder 36; Thefsp'rings' 4| hold thesleeves 4t! in. their uppermo'stifor, elevated positions, in which.itsmons meupper ends of the sleeves project above the upper-"en s" of theextensions 35, as shown. The upper ends} of all of the sleeves 43are atthe sameelevationl' Thelower end of eachbar 32' engages the 'liril eiQ-end of a reduced extension 23, and isheId-sp'ace ,1" from the shoulder.36 for forming an; annular groove or passage of fixed Width, Figure 5.]The..., upper end of each pcrtion'as.isprqvmeuwiui aiq small centralvertical bore '42,? forming "a socket for a purpose tobedeseribe'dgfiji,

The rows of legs 26 are connected by equi distantly. spaced horizontal.parallel. rows Bf, C andiD of Iadjustablelinksor plates extending;between opposite sides-of the...apparatus 25,.andiv also by similar rowsA, B, C" andiD' of. adjust?" I able links,-arranged'at.rightanglesjtojand cross: ing the rows A,1B, C, and D.; Allofthero'wsbi links are arranged adjacent'jtoilthe shoulders 311 j andreduced extensions 29,,"and therefore are at the same elevation. TherowsAflan'dDjand.A'jii and D. define the .marginaljedges ofthe rectangul'ar apparatuses shown; 7 U H1 1 The horizontalrow A of links,carried'bylonejgy outermost row of legs 26 comprises first andfljfsecond double links 43 and 44, and singlegendg j. links 45 and 46,Figures 1 and 6. The'links 43,"

44,45 and 46 extend in longitudinal relation to form the row A, and thedouble link 43 is provided at its longitudinal center with an opening47, pivotally receiving the reduced extension 26 of one intermediate leg26 of the adjacent row of legs. The double link 43 rests upon theshoulder 36 of the intermediate leg 26, as shown. The double link 43extends equidistantly longitudinally upon opposite sides of theintermediate leg carrying it. The double link 43 is provided near itsopposite ends and at its transverse cen ter with longitudinally spacedpairs of spaced openings 48, having headed guide pins 49 rigidly securedtherein, with-the heads of the guide pins spaced :above the top surfaceof the double link 43. The double link 43 is further provided lon- 2,gitudinally inwardly of the pairs of guide pins .43 ,withlongitudinally spaced pairs of spaced openings 56, fora purpose to bedescribed. The double link 44 is provided at its longitudinal centerwith an opening 5|, pivotally receiving the reduced' 'extrision '29of'the other intermediate leg zt and. the double link 44extendsequidistantly longitudinally upon opposite sides of the lastmentioned leg26, and has oneend portion arranged innverlapping; sliding"contact with the adjacent end portion-of the double link 43, Figure 6.The double. link 44 is provided upon 0ppesit'e sides'o'f'itssupporting'leg' 26, and at its transverse ,centerfwith longitudinalslots 52 of equak length, and i-ex'tending' throughout the major portionofthe length of the double link 44, upon opposite sides of itssupporting leg- 26.

pins 4'Elcarried"by the' double link 43, andthe headstof these guide?{pins slidably' contact the upper face of the "doublelink 44; Thearrangement is such that thedouble links 43 and 44 may be adjustedlongitudinally of each other but cannot assumean-angular relationship,due to the spacing of the pair of guide pins 49 'connecting them.

The single-end link-45 is provided near its outer end with an'opening'53, pivotally receiving the reduced extension 29. of the adjacentcorner leg 26, and the single-1ink45 extends beyond the inner side ofthe corner leg 26'and is arranged above the doublelink-43=in overlappingor superposed relatiom-Figure 6. The 'end link 45 slidably contacts thedouble link 43, and is arranged at the same elevation in; the row A asthe double link 44,-"Figure 6;?"Thelink 45 has a longitudinal slot54jidenticalgwith the slots 52,and slidably receiving theiother pair'ofguide pins 49 of the doublelirik 43:"The heads of these guidepinsslidably contact the upper'face of the single link'45'. Theguide'pins 49permit of longitudinal adjustment .of the links-4.3 and 45,but hold the same against angular movement.

The singlelink 46 is providednear its outer end with an opening 55,pivotally receiving the reducedextension 29 ofthe adjacent corner leg26, andthe linkfifi extends beyond the inner side V Qi'thBlCOIIlGI' leg26, and beneath the adjacent endportionof the double link 44 in slidingcon tactlng relation. The single link 46 carries'a longitudinally spacedpair of the headed guide pins 49 near'its inner end, and rigidly securedthereto in the sameunanner that the other pairs of guide pins 4 B aresecured. to the double link 43. The guide pins 49 of the single link 46slidably fingage' within the gther slot 52 of the double" um; 44, withtheir heads slidably contacting'the upper face of the double link 44.The single link 46 isfurther'provided; longitudinally outwardly atlasesof-the guide =pins-4B a pairoi longitudinally spaced openings f at,identical with the openings 54in size, spacing and arrangement; and theopenings '56 are adapted' to be brought into :registration with adjacentslot 52 of the double $4. The opem-n'gs 50 OT file double link 13 arelil'i'ewiseia'dapted to' b'ebrought registration-rwith the 95161;fiffthe sing-1e link 45 and the other -slotf5i2, =Fi'gure' 6. When oneor more of the openings -50 and -56"registei*with the slots '52 and 54,removable locking pins 51 may haire' tlieir reducedshan'ksfiiinserted-downwardly iii-rough the slots and openings for*releasably looking the links o'f the mew-A m slected'long itudinall adiiusted positions. the removable locking pins are omitted, the towerlinks m'ay'he ex- 7 tended-- or opened 'longi tudinall yuntil the guidepins 139 engage flie em'isof'the slots 52 and 54,

and this -=provides n); the maximum extension of the row "The"arrangement provldesthifee possible adjustments fo'ri thelength ofthe-tow A, one adjustment for each opening and 56, and the maximumadjustment when the pins 5 1 are omitted. Three-of theremovable pins 51are required for positively-looking the links o'fthe row A intheir-selected adjusted positions, as shown. It should. he understoodthat additional adiusting openings 50 and may be provided in the I links43 and '46, if desired, and the adjusting openings and the 'pins may beomitted entirely, if desired. The links 43; 4'4, 45- and 46 are flat.

The horizontal row 'B of links comprises the same links :43; 44, 45and'4'6'making'up 'the'row v A} but the arrangement *o'f the links inthe row-B is different, the'row B'being produced it the row A isbodily'reversed end-'-'for-end, without -invertt'hei-rows, as described.

:ehangeable, except. as to their arrangement in 'intheatowfi. v.

"Jlhemowv Dis identical 111 1 marshes and arrangement with the low :8,:and'if the :row C is turned :end-ttor-end without inverting the .same,the row 33 will the produced; The same vertical staggered :relationshipbetween opposite links of "the rows C and 1D exists,esprevioushvdeseribed tnoomie'ctinnwithitherowsiiand B. I

' horizontal .mwfi' of links-is identical in construction andarrangement with therow A when the apparatus isviewe'd from theleit:hand

side of Figure 1,:emd the rows .A':, BC, C. 1and.-D

are arranged right angles to :the :rowsA, B, C and ii) nross'ithe sameTherrow A :compnises the identical Tliriksli, 44, 45 ;ari'd;-4'r3wmakingup 'th'eirfow nan-e the links in the row A are pivotallyconnected withthe legsidinthe same manner described in comeotionwvith the :row ,A. Therow .Bl' is identiailiwifii :the 110MB, andthe rows-C" D are identicalwith therrows *C and ing'the same. 1 The double link 44in the row Bismounted upon the other intermediate legit, as

compared to the one supporting the double link '43 of the 'row A. Thesame is true of the double link 44, Figure 7. llhe double Iihkfi' ldf'the TOW '3 is arranged "above the double 1inl *'4 and-thisarrangementis the same as in the town; itn'the row B, the single or endlinlg'fll' is'arranged'at the opposite end of the row from its positionin the row A, and its open'in'gf53 receives the reduced extension 29 ofthe oppQsite'endleg 26. in

the row A, the single lin'k 45 in ranged above the double link 43'. g'lelink "46 of the row for-end from its positionin' the row A; and 'itsopening 55 receives the -reduced extension :29 of the opposite endl'eg'2'6. The single link-4B of the row '-B' is arrangedbeneath-thedoublelink 44,"-as in the row A. "The arrangement is suchthat if the 'row A of links is turned orreversed end-for-end, withoutinverting the parts, the row B isproduceias previously stated.

'In'the row A,'-the links 43 and 45 are seated-directly upon theshoulders 3 0 o'fthe legs 2'6, and

the links "44 and 45 are spaced above the shoulders 30 in slidingcontact with the lower ends of the bars 32. The links of the rowfBadjacent to corresponding legs -26 of thatrow are stag-sored verticallywith respect to the links-in the row. A, so that a link in the row '13directlyopposite zone in the 'row A which is seated upon a" shoulder 30is spaced 'above 'the shoulder 30 of the corresponding leg '25 in therow 13. This alternating or staggered arrangement with respect to thevertical isrepeatedin the rows C and D, and there is no progressivepiling up of the various "links in the rows A through D. individuallinks 43, 44, 45 and 46 of all of the rows .AfB, C and -D are identicalin construction and inter- '-B is likewise rversed end-- D. Likewise,the:rowCCisidentical'wvith therow A2 and the :row 13' identical withthezrow 1B.

vertically staggeredaielationship existinghetxveen laterally opposed inthe rows A through 13 also: exists between the laterally opposed flinks:ef thelrowis A" through ID. It should 'be understood that theremovaoleadjusting 51 described iniconneotion with the rows A, B, C and ID areemployed in the :same manner in the rows A, 1 13", C" and and the latterrows operatein the same man'ner'as the :rows A, B, C I and D to extendand collapse the apparatus 25111 the iiireetion at right angles to the."r'ows A, '53, C

anil ne The meal the apparatus in'the practice of the first term of themethod is as fo'llows:

The apparatus 25 is initial-ly onened a error;- tended as Figure'l; Thelegs I26 of-the rows A and l) are grasped and pulled apart for extendingor lengthening the rowswA' iB'; C' and D", and this extends theapparatus in one directlon, or longitudinally oi' the rows A, .B, Cand 1D7.

When-thelocking pinst51' are employed in eachrow 5A" "B", I?" and D" andarranged in corresponding ones-of the openings 51] and 56, the --extentof opening of the apparatus may be :adjusted, as prev-iously d'eseribedin connection with therow A. If the pins 51 :are not used, the rows A,B, C" and D" are lengthened to the maximum possible extent, andthe guidepins 49 engage the ends o'f the-slots 52 and 54 and limit the opening orextending of the apparatus "in one direction. The spacing between thelegs 26 in the rows .A', "B", C and D" is equal forall-selected-longitudinally ad justed positions of these rows, becausethe slots 52 and 54 are of "equal "length. Accordingly, the rows A,'1B,C and D remain equidistantly spaced laterallyand parallel, in allselected =a'djusted positions of the rows A" B, C and ID".

The apparatus 25 is nextextended longitudimany of the rows A, .B; C andD Joy grasping the legs '2t in the outermost rows A" and D,- and pullingthem apart. Again, the removal ale lock th ins in a be m loyed; --i-f'des ired,'* to adjust or limit the extension of the .apparatus :lon-

gitudinally of the rows A, B, C and D. Withthe apparatus thus extendedin both directions, it may assume the extended'or open rectangularposition shown in Figure 1. While in this position, upholstery pins 59are mounted upon the upper ends of the reduced portions 35, within thesleeves 40, and with their rounded fabric-covered heads or buttons 60seated'in the. concave recesses 31, Figure 10. The upholstery pins 59are upwardly directed as shown, and their points project above the upperends of the sleeve 49, when the sleeves are in their elevated positions.

An outer flexible sheet 6| of fabric, leather, plastics or the like isnowspread over the apparatus in a horizontal substantially flat ordistended condition, and the points of the upholstery pins 59 maypenetrate the outer sheet 61 as shown in Figure 10. If the outersheetfil is too tough, as when formed of leather or the like, it may beprovided with a plurality of small slits 62,- at the points of theupholstery pins 59, to facilitate the passage of the pins through thesheets.

When the pins 59 have'penetrated the outer sheet 6|, the apparatus icollapsed or closed in both directions,longitudinally of, the rows A, B,C and D, and longitudinally of the rowsA', B, C. and D. other ends orthe-slots52 and 54 and constitute stops limiting the inward or closingmovement- The guide, pins 49 engage the.

of the apparatus, which will now assume the condition shown in Figure 3;The several rows of links arestill equidistantly spaced ,and parallelbut there is substantiallyless space. between all of the rows. Therowsof legs 26 form individual rectangular groups withinthe over-all group,as previously stated,.and each individual group of four legs 26 carriesfour ofthe upholstery pins 59. When the individual groups of, legs areshifted inwardly, as the apparatus is collapsed,

the upholstery pins 59 holding the outer sheet 65 cause the sheet todevelop a fullness or to sag within each group of four legs 26. Thissagging of the outer sheet 6| within the, groups of legs forms dependingcells or pockets 63, Figure 11.

The depth of each cell 63 ,and its marginal size or area is determinedby the extent of retraction or closing of the groups of legs in theapparatus, which extent can be varied as desired. a r

The cells or pockets 63 are next filled with suitable filling materialsuch as cotton, hair, foam rubber or the like, and the cells maybefilled individuallyor in groups, orasingle lay r-of filling may bearranged over all of the cell 63 simultaneously. The filling may beintroduced into the cells in any desired or preferred manner The filledcells 63 remain connected and are held by the apparatus againstmovement.

A flexible backing sheet 64 of fabric or the like is now'placed over theouter sheet 6 l, and the backing sheet is substantially flat ordistended, Figure 11. The sleeves 40 are now depressed and assume theirlowered positions, Figure 12, and the upholstery pins 59 pass throughthe backing sheet 64, and the heads or buttons moveinto contact with theouter sheet BI at the corners of the cells 63. The backing sheet 64 isheld inclose relation or contact with the outer sheet 63 during thisoperation. A washer 65 may now be applied to each upholstery pin 59,rearwardly of V is covered with the material of the outer sheet:

l 8 '63, as is well known. The cells 63 now constitute the tufts havingthe buttons 60 secured in place at the four corners of the tufts, Figure15. After the corners of all cells or tufts are thus connected by theupholstery pins 59, the material of the outer sheet 63', atthe edges ofthe tufts may be manuallystraightened or adjusted, if necessary,toimprove the appearance of the work.. This is more frequently requiredwhen the outer sheet 6! is formed of relatively stifi material such asleather. r

The completed tufted cushion or Work is now lifted from the apparatus,and the same may be tice of a slightly modifiedform of the method,

and when so used, upholsterers needles 6B and thread 61 are employed forsecuring fabric-covered buttonsGB in place at the corners of the cellsor tufts 63.: The upholsterers pins 'are omitted entirelyin thepracticev of this form of the method.

The bluntends of the needles stareinserted in the bores or sockets 42 ofall'legs 26 of the apparatus, and the points of the needles are directedupwardly and extend above the sleeves 4B,

Figure 17,. With the sleeves 56 elevated, the eyes 69 of the needlesarearranged substantially at the upper ends of the sleeves, as shown.The

eyes 59 are threaded with the thread 61, and this thread is formed inloops passing through attaching eyes 10, carried by thebacizs of thebuttons 68: Both strands of the loops of thread 67 are threaded throughthe eyes 59, and these strands may lay across the, upper ends of thesleeves 48 as shown in Figure 17, with the buttons 68 hanging at oneside of the legs26.

The outer sheet BI is now spread over the apparatus in the, flat ordistended condition, in the same manner described in connection with thefirst form of the method, and the1points of the needles 66 pass throughthe sheettl, but the eyes 63 do not pass through the sheet BLwhile thesleeves 40 are elevated; The apparatus 25 j is now collapsed in theidentical manner described in connection with the first form of. themethod, and the cells or tufts 63 are formed and filled. The backingsheet 641s applied'over the outer sheet 6| in the manner previouslydescribed, andthe sleeves 40 are depressed. The eyes 69 of theneedlesnow pass upwardly through both sheets El and 64, Figure 18, andthe needles 66 are grasped and withdrawn from the sockets 42, and pulledupwardly until the free ends of the thread 6] are pulled through andabove the backing sheet 64. When this has beendone, the strands of thethread 6'! are pulled tight and tiedin knots H above the backing sheet54, Figure 19. The buttons 68' are now positioned against the outersheet 6| at the corners of the tufts 63, and the buttons 63 assume thsame positions at the buttons 60 shown in Figure 15. The thread 61permanently'secures the sheets BI and 64 together in contacting relationat the four corners of the tufts 63, and thus servesthe same purpose asthe upholstery pins 59 used in the first form of the method. All otherparts of the apparatus, with the exception of the the upholstery pins 59in Figure 10.

25 is now collapsed or closed.

garages 9 needles 66 are identicalato thoseshown and described inconnection with the first "form of the method, and "the" basic stepsofthe' method are the same as those described previously i-n con nectionwith thefirstiform The apparatus 25 is also .used in the practice of afurther modification 6f lfi1i.method. (When this is done, upholsterersbrad's orztack buttons 12 having fabric-coveredheafi are employed forsecuring-the outer flexible ,fsh et. 6| togaisub-J stan tially rigidbackingjpanel' wood; fibjeriboar'd or the like; l llisiused' insteadpfthe fie rig; 64 of the two prior'form's' "of" themethod. The backingpanel 14 may be of any desired thickness, such as one-half inch, and thebrads 12 are of the proper length to penetrate the backing panel 14without having their points pass entirely through the same. Neither theupholsterers pins 59 nor the needles 66 are employed in the practice ofthis form of the method.

The heads 13 of the brads 12 are seated in the recesses 31, with thepoints of the brads projecting above the elevated sleeves 40. The outersheet Bl is spread over the apparatus and pierced by the points of thebrads 12, similarly to the manner in which the outer sheet is pierced byThe extended apparatus in the manner previously described, and the outersheet BI is held by the brads 62 so that the cells or pockets 63 areformed. These pockets are now filled in the manner described for formingthe cushion tufts. The backing panel M is now placed over the apparatusand pressed downwardly against the points of the brads 12. The bradspenetrate into the panel 14, and the sleeves M! are depressed or lowereduntil the heads or buttons 13. contact the outer sheet GI at the cornersof the tufts 63. The brads 12 thus secure the tufted cushion to thebacking panel 14 and the work may be lifted from the apparatus. Allother parts of the apparatus are identical with those shown anddescribed in connection with the first and second forms of the method.

While the apparatus 25 has been shown and described throughout asrectangular or square, and the individual groups of legs forming theindividual tufts 63 have also been described as rectangular, I wish toemphasize that due to the pivotal connections between the variousconnecting links and legs 26, the apparatus may be shifted into adiamond shape shown in Figure 21. This may be done when the apparatushas been initially extended, as in Figure 1, by grasping opposite cornerlegs 26 and pulling them apart. When the apparatus assumes the diamondshape shown in Figure 21, each group of four legs 26 likewise assumes adiamond shape. In this position, the apparatus 25 is manipulated inevery other respect in the identical manner described in connection withthe practice of the three forms of the method, and the completed tuftsare formed diamond-shaped, rather than square or rectangular.

It is to be understood that the form of the apparatus herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and thatvarious changes in shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resortedto, as well as variations in the method steps, without departing fromthe spirit of the invention or scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. Apparatus for forming tufted work, comprisrowso su st nt all ,e ticalegs. t e egs i eaghi 1 w ,Jbeing s aced filj s shavie zft lower endssepa a f om, nd'gnpvamvmou tegl able t 'l S 13121? nemzlgw im ansi orihoid n an. elementltqbeg a se it relishk we e t :arraneedfnnmisu Ap s mt of "legsfbeing,ar'rangedji ransversely (Di eaqhint.dinallytextensiblei and m nts .lpivotallyponnecte m ls substan a lhorizientailvi 'i w eirei e ioni thereto" l i p re t s ilyiextensihl;.an QtahIMQnn n' n-,fif .nectedAwi-th'said,legs to swingsubstantially "hori zontally with relation thereto, the second group ofconnecting elements extending transversely of the first group ofconnecting elements. each connecting element being horizontally rigidand. the connecting elements serving as the sole means of connectionbetween said legs.

2. Apparatus for forming tufted work, comprising rows of substantiallyvertical legs, the

legs in each row being spaced, the legs having their lower ends movablymounted upon a table top or the like, each leg being provided adjacentto its upper end with means for holding an element to be passed throughsheet or sheets arranged upon such upper end, each leg having anintermediate reduced portion, first rows of links having openings formedtherein for pivotally receiving the reduced portions of the legs, secondrows of links having openings formed therein for pivotally receiving thereduced portions of the legs, the rows of links corresponding to therows of legs and. the rows of links being horizontally rigid and adaptedto swing horizontally with relation to the legs, the links in each rowbeing longitudinally adjustably connected so that the row islongitudinally extensible and contractable.

3. Apparatus for forming tufted work, comprising rows of substantiallyvertical legs, the legs in each row being spaced, the legs having theirlower ends movably mounted upon a substantially horizontal support, eachleg being provided adjacent to its upper end with means for holdin anelement to be passed through sheet or sheets arranged upon such upperend, the rows of legs being arranged in groups which extend transverselyof each other, a group of longitudinally extensible and contractableconnecting elements disposed substantially horizontally adjacent to saidlegs, each connecting element including links having openings formedtherein to receive parts of the adjacent legs, a second group oflongitudinally extensible and contractable connecting elements disposedsubstantially horizontally adjacent to said legs, each connectingelement of the second group including links having openings formedtherein to receive parts of the adjacent legs, each connecting elementbeing substantially horizontally rigid.

4. Apparatus for forming tufted work, comprising rows of substantiallyvertical legs, the legs in each row being spaced, the legs having theirlower ends movably resting upon a substantially horizontal support, eachleg being provided adjacent to its upper end with means for holding anelement to be passed through sheet or sheets arranged upon the upperend, the rows of legs being arranged in groups which extend transverselyof each other, a group of longitudinally extensible and contractableconnecting elements disposed substantially horizontally adjacent to saidlegs, each connecting element including adrow so that such legs movewith the links when the links are longitudinally adjusted, a secondgroup of longitudinally extensible and contractable connecting elementsdisposed substantially horizontally adjacent to said legs, eachconnecting element of the second group including adjustable linksextending longitudinally of such connecting element, the links of eachlast-named connecting element being attached to the legs in the adjacentrow so that such legs move with the links when the links arelongitudinally adjusted.

WALTER A. HONEYCUTT;

The following referencesare-of record in the file of this patent: 77

UNITED STATES YPA'IEN'ITS H Number Name 1 Date Hagedorn Dec; 6, 1904Hildreth July ,9, 1912 V Freshel V Oct; 29, 1912 Donegan May 20, 1913Maulsby et a1. Oct 29, 1929 McRoskey 0013317. 1933 'Lang Sept. '18, 1934

